Stop mosquitoes breeding around your home

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant (still) water.

Eliminating potential breeding sites for mosquito larvae can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home.

• Inspect your house and yard to see if water is lying around
• Inspect horse water troughs weekly
  
  
• Empty containers that may hold water, including old tyres, buckets, tins and rubbish bins
• Empty bird baths and pet water dishes on a weekly basis
• Put sand around the bases of pot plants to absorb excess water
  
  
• Keep swimming pools salted and chlorinated and empty them when not in use
• Ensure that fish ponds are stocked with fish
  
  
• Overturn boats and dinghies or remove the drain plug so they do not hold water
• Cover all openings and inlets to rainwater tanks, wells, or other large water containers with screens or wire gauze no coarser than 1 millimetre
  
  
  Example of an inground water tank
  
  
  Example of inlet pipe to water tank where mosquitoes could breed.
• Keep roof gutters in good repair and remove leaves and debris so pools of water do not form
• Cover all inlets and openings on septic tanks and distribution tanks
• Keep lawns and gardens well maintained so that you are not providing shelter for adult mosquitoes
• Mend leaking taps.

Stop mosquitoes from entering your home

• Install flywire screens on all windows and self-closing wire screens on doors. Check them regularly and mend any holes.
• When camping, ensure your tent is screened to stop mosquitoes from entering.

Avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes

• Wear long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours
• Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• Some mosquitoes in coastal areas also bite during the day
• Use an effective repellent on exposed skin
• Repellents containing the active ingredient ‘DEET’ or Picaridin are most effective
• Take care when applying repellents, and always read the product label before use

For information on how to apply repellent correctly, please view the video below.

Visit the Better Health Channel for updated mosquito protection resources and fact sheets.